Telstra increasing mobile plan pricing on July 4

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 15 May 2023

All Telstra Upfront mobile customers will pay more for their plan from July 4. As foreshadowed last year, Telstra will once again be increasing the price of its mobile plans in line with CPI. Customers will pay between $3 to $6 more per month, depending on their plan.

While Telstra has previously balanced out cost increases by adding extra data, it hasn't done so universally this time around. Customers on Telstra's most expensive plans are stuck with the same data allowance they had previously.

Here is how Telstra's Upfront plan pricing is changing:

Plan	Old Pricing	New Pricing (From July 4)
Starter	$47 for 2GB	$50 for 2GB
Basic	$58 for 40GB	$62 for 50GB
Essential	$68 for 180GB	$72 for 180GB
Premium	$89 for 300GB	$95 for 300GB
Bundle	$47 for 15GB	$50 for 25GB

Telstra group executive for consumer and small business, Brad Whitcomb, said that the price rise is being attributed to increased operating costs. He also said that charging more will allow the telco to continue to invest in its network, as well as technologies like scam protection.

While many may find the price increase disappointing, it isn't unexpected. Last year Telstra announced that its Upfront mobile plans will be subject to an annual pricing review - a fact it now attaches to each plan on its website.

All Telstra Upfront mobile plans are contract-free, so customers always have the option to leave. Customers who bought a phone on a plan will need to pay out the remaining balance in one lump sum to do so, however.

Telstra will also be increasing the price of some of its mobile broadband plans. Here's how pricing is changing:

Plan	Old Pricing	New Pricing (From July 4)
Mobile Broadband S	$25 for 30GB	$25 for 30GB (no change)
Mobile Broadband M	$55 for 75GB	$58 for 75GB
Mobile Broadband L	$85 for 400GB	$90 for 400GB
Mobile Broadband Data Bundle	$10 for 10GB	$10 for 10GB

Today's news follows an announcement a month ago that prepaid customers will see a price increase in July. All plans come with more data, however. Here's how pricing is changing on Telstra's mainline prepaid plans:

Current recharge	New recharge (from July 4)	Expiry
$10 for 2GB	$12 for 3GB	7 days
$30 for 10GB	$35 for 15GB	28 days
$40 for 20GB	$45 for 25GB	28 days
$50 for 30GB	$55 for 35GB	28 days
$60 for 40GB	$65 for 70GB	28 days
$150 for 60GB	$160 for 70GB	6 months
$300 for 150GB	$320 for 165GB	12 months

All Telstra prepaid customers will be moved onto the equivalent new plan on their first recharge after July 4.

Prepaid plans were previously excluded from Telstra's annual price review, and the telco hasn't confirmed if they will be going forward.

"While prepaid price increases are rare, we review prices periodically and will always be transparent with customers about any changes so they know what to expect and when," said a Telstra spokesperson.

Telstra MVNO Boost Mobile is also increasing its prices on July 4.

Alex Choros

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Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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